Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1915 — Home Town Helps FOR PROPER CITY PLANNING [ARTICLE]

Home Town Helps

FOR PROPER CITY PLANNING

Authority Make* Assertion That Beauty and Commercial Prosperity Go Hand in Hand. “There is no reason why our cities should not be sensibly planned. There is no reason why they should be allowed to run wild and grow without care and scientific regulation. There is no reason why commercial considerations should ruin, the beauty of a city, and there is no reason why considerations of beauty should interfere with its commercial prosperity.” So said Arnold W. Brunner of New York city at tlie annual convention of the American Civic association in Washington when he responded to the subject, “Our Surroundings and Their Influence." Continuing, Mr. Brunner said: "There* is every reason why these two considerations should go hand in hand and supplement each other. They do so when we destroy a slum, and let in light and decency, when we open up a congested district and replace a mass of disgraceful tenements by a playground, when modern harbor improvements supersede old wharves and neglected water fronts. We must make it clear that city planning properly understood, is intended to prevent blighted districts; to prevent the ruih of our streets; to prevent the spoliation of our parks and squares. We must make it clear that It'is not only a good financial investment but that it brings a direct return in the improvement of the welfare, comfort and happiness of the citizen. I believe.that our newer ideas of social justice will produce better cities. Cities will be cleaner, healthier, more beautiful, for even the untrained already feel that their rights are not recognized and realize vaguely that their sensibilities are hurt by unsightly surroundings. The outside of the other fellow’s house is of more importance to us than that of our own, and he must consider us as we must consider him. "The future American cities will be beautiful and inspiring, and Washington will lead them all. When the L’Enfant plan is pushed further, as it surely will be, the Lincoln memorial finished, and the glorious mall, lined with dignified buildings, sweeps triumphantly up to the capitol as a climax, we shall have a scene, a background worthy of a great nation.”